Boston’s most notable changes in 2013

The past 12 months in Boston have run the gamut of emotions. From the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings in April to the glee of watching the Red Sox win the World Series in October, Boston has seen a lot and changed even more in 2013. Here are the biggest changes we noticed this past year, in everything from politics and new buildings to sports and the latest restaurants.
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David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Construction: The Kensington

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has put a heavy emphasis on increasing housing options across the city. The Kensington is part of that effort, bringing 381 luxury rental apartments to Boston. The 27-story building opened at 665 Washington St. in October, and has seen high demand despite monthly rent prices for one bedroom apartments ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 and two bedrooms that can reach over $10,000 per month.
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David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Construction: Millennium Place

Millennium Place opened in October, as well, offering ownership over rentals. With 256 deluxe condos in the 15-story building, real estate blog Curbed Boston dubbed it Boston’s “inner city country club.” That comes as no surprise with asking prices over $1,000 per square foot.
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David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Construction: Liberty Mutal headquarters

On the business side, Liberty Mutual opened its new $300 million headquarters in July. Seen here while still under construction, the 22-story building sits at the intersection of Boston’s Back Bay, South End, and Bay Village neighborhoods, offering views of the Charles River and Boston Harbor
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Hacin and Associates

Construction: District Hall

District Hall, formerly known as the Seaport District Innovation Center, is one of Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s prized projects. The $5.5 million center is part of an expansive effort to make the Seaport District a hotbed of entrepreneurship and invention. With 12,000 square feet of space, the hall provides plenty of room for networking, events, and working alone or collaboratively. And when Boston’s brightest minds get hungry, they don’t have to go far as 3,000 square feet are dedicated to a restaurant and cafe.
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David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Construction: Maxwell’s Green

This residential development isn’t in Boston proper, but it offers unique and environmentally friendly living in Somerville. With four residential buildings, Maxwell’s Green offers 184 green units that have been approved as green apartments by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The apartments include everything from studios up to three bedrooms, including 24 affordable housing units. The development’s first buliding opened in 2012, but the remaining three buildings were completed earlier this year.
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Josh Reynolds for the Boston globe

Construction: Hong Lok House

This Chinatown redevelopment has become a wonderful addition for seniors in the area. The $35 million project included plans to create two buildings, the first of which was completed in February. It has 32 apartments, all of which rent for less than $500 per month and are meant for low-income seniors. The second phase of the development is set to revamp the original Hong Lok House and open in 2014, adding another 42 units.
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David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Construction: The Victor Apartments

This 11-story complex opened in the spring and offered 286 apartments, 121 parking spaces, and even a 5,600 space leased to the Tavern in the Square Restaurant. The building also has high end amenities, including a concierge, indoor sports court, and meeting spaces. Despite plenty of perks and a great location near North Station and the TD Garden, the building remained 90 percent vacant as of late November, according to Curbed Boston.
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Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Transportation: New stops on the Indigo Line

The Fairmount Corridor Commuter Rail Line got two new stations this year. Four Corners/Geneva station in Dorchester and the Newmarket stop near South Bay both opened this summer, joining the Talbot Avenue stop that opened last November. The new stations are part of an ongoing effort to improve the line that offers service from Hyde Park, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury to Boston’s South Station.
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John Tlumacki/Boston Globe

Transportation: Hubway tests year-round operations in Cambridge

New England has some brutal cold, but interest from Cambridge cyclists means snow and ice won’t stop Hubway’s bike-share operations this winter. The organization announced in November that unlike previous winters, it would not close down its stations in Cambridge, leaving 26 of the 27 stations open year-round.
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Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

Transportation: Fare cut for MBTA’s The Ride

After an increase in 2012 that doubled fares for The Ride from $2 to $4, data showed that the high prices were making the special service inaccessible and hurting ridership. An adjustment to bring the price down to $3 was announced in December.
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Alex Wong/Getty Images

Politics: Walsh elected mayor

After over 15 years as a state representative in Massachusetts, Martin J. Walsh was elected as Boston’s new mayor. He was elected with 52 percent of the vote on Nov. 5, defeated City Councilor John Connolly. Walsh will be inaugurated in January.
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Jessica Rinaldi for The Boston Globe

Politics: Boston City Council elections

Boston City Council also saw changes during the Nov. 5 elections. Incumbent Councilors at Large Ayanna Pressley and Stephen Murphy were reelected, joined by newly elected Michelle Wu and Michael Flaherty. For district councilors, the incumbents were primarily successful, as Salvatore LaMattina, Bill Linehan, Frank Baker, Matt O’Malley, Tito Jackson, Charles Yancey and Mark S. Ciommo were re-elected. Josh Zakim and Timothy McCarthy were newly elected to the City Council.
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Police: Emphasis on security

A new emphasis was put on security after April’s Boston Marathon bombings. Just over six months after the attack on Boylston Street, Boston hosted some major events as the Red Sox reached and subsequently won the World Series this fall. The city used an enhance police presence when hosting World Series games, and when the time came for the victory parade down the same street where the bombings occurred, the route was shortened and security was the city’s top priority.
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BRIAN SNYDER/Reuters

Police: Ed Davis steps down

Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis stepped down in November after seven years in office and an especially chaotic 2013 that included the Boston Marathon bombings and their dramatic aftermath. Davis announced he would move to a fellowship position at Harvard University that would involve teaching and taking courses. Boston police Superintendent William Evans was appointed as interim commissioner.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

Police: End to license plate scanners

In December, the Boston Police Department suspended its use of high-tech license plate scanners that check whether drivers have outstanding tickets, out-of-date insurance, or other violations. The decision came after a Boston Globe investigation raised privacy and efficacy concerns about the program. Police inadvertently released the license plate numbers of cars that had tripped alarms, and the data showed that cars would often be flagged for the same crime multiple times without any action being taken.
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Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Police: New collective bargaining agreement

Arbitrators ruled in September that Boston police patrolmen deserved a 25.4 percent pay raise over the next six years, costing taxpayers $80 million. The ruling outraged Mayor Thomas M. Menino, but the issue will be handed off to Mayor-elect Martin Walsh when he takes office next year.
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Brian Feulner for the Boston Globe

Police: GPS in patrol cars

As part of the city’s new collective bargaining agreement with Boston police, GPS units will be installed in patrol cars in order to improve response times to emergencies. Some officers responded with concern that supervisors would track their every move, but commanders insist it is only meant to better police response.
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Josh Reynolds for the Boston Globe

Restaurants: Asta

This unique restaurant in the Back Bay opened in January and got diners’ attention with a unique approach: the kitchen only offers three prix-fixe tasting menus. Despite the unorthodox approach, Asta has earned plenty of recognition as one of the city’s best new dining options in 2013.
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Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

Restaurants: Bronwyn

Bronwyn brings a little taste of Germany and Austria to Union Square, Somerville. The restaurant opened in May and became such a hit that it was included in Esquire’s 20 best new restaurants in the United States.
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Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Restaurants: Ribelle

This new restaurant opened in August and brought edgy Italian cuisine to Brookline this year. Loud and dimly lit, patrons sit at communal tables and can gaze into an open kitchen as their meal is prepared.
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Restaurants: Boston Chops

This South End establishment joined the ranks of Boston steakhouses in early March, but offers plenty more than just meat. Potent cocktails and a raw bar helped the new restaurant stand out from those who have been slinging steak for years.
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Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff

Restaurants: Kirkland Tap & Trotter

Kirkland Tap & Trotter opened in September and brought Somerville some classy cuisine from a former Craigie on Main employee. Thankfully for diners, the restaurant has maintained the quality of food at Craigie while distinguishing itself with a more casual character and affordable price points.
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Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Restaurants: Blue Dragon

One of Fort Point’s new restaurants, Ming Tsai’s Blue Dragon has been a hit since opening in February. The self-described Asian tapas gastropub joined Bronwyn on Esquire’s 20 best new restaurants in the country and offers a more casual atmosphere compared to Tsai’s upscale Blue Ginger in Wellesley.
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Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Restaurants: A4 Pizza

A4 Pizza opened in August and has been serving up its artisanal take on slices ever since. Pies featuring handmade mozzarella and toppings from basil walnut pesto with zucchini to exotic mushroom and egg have tempted Somerville diners despite somewhat high prices for pizza.
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Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Restaurants: Fairsted Kitchen

American cuisine with a Middle Eastern twist has arrived in Brookline with the help of Fairsted Kitchen. It’s only been open since October, but the new restaurant has caught eyes with cocktails both bottled and on tap and with dishes including a pig’s head lettuce wrap.
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Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff

Restaurants: Commonwealth

It’s hard to draw attention with seafood in New England – the region has more than its fair share of restaurants slinging shellfish. But Commonwealth in Kendall Square, lead by former Fenway Park executive chef Steve “Nookie” Postal, has found success in Cambridge with its focus on local ingredients and a warm but modern décor.
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Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Restaurants: Beat Hotel

Do you enjoy music while you dine? In that case, Beehive’s sister restaurant Beat Motel may be right up your alley. Diners have enjoyed live music, a wholesome menu, and (more recently) brunch and lunch at the Harvard Square location. After opening its doors in September, the hippie-inspired interior has attracted everyone from Harvard VIPs to techie start up workers.
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Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

Restaurants: Mei Mei

There are undoubtedly many Bostonians who are familiar with the food truck version, Mei Mei Street Kitchen. But this brick-and-mortar edition in Audobon Circle has done just as well after its Kickstarter-aided launch in November, serving up Chinese-American cuisine to grad students and young professionals.
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Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Restaurants: Shanghai Social Club

Allston welcomed the Shanghai Social Club in late August, just in time for the first days of the school year. The restaurant caters to students, serving Chinese dishes with a daring twist, including Asian lobster rolls and lion’s head meatballs. And of course, they’ve been pouring plenty of mai tais and scorpion bowls.
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Yoon S. Byun/Globe staff

Restaurants: Ward 8

The North End has plenty of classics, but new isn’t always bad in the restaurant business. In late November, Ward 8 came to town, bringing tropical cocktails, craft beer, and comfort food. The chef hails from the Four Seasons’ Bristol Lounge and serves up everything from shareable plates to dishes from the raw bar. Oh, and a truffle-mayonnaise lobster roll.
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Suffolk University

Schools: Suffolk University breaks ground on new downtown building

In November, Suffolk University broke ground on a new $62 million, 10-story academic building in Downtown Boston. The project is set to include 1,100 clasroom seats, a cafeteria, student support services, and indoor and outdoor lounging areas. The new building, expected to open by fall 2015, is part of the schools efforts to relocate its campus center from Beacon Hill to Downtown.
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Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

Schools: Emerson renames School of Communication for Ron Burgundy

Despite criticism from some professors, Emerson College’s School of Communication renamed itself after popular movie character Ron Burgundy, who is portrayed by Will Ferrell in the two “Anchorman” movies. In December, the school hosted Ferrell for a ceremony where, in character, he addressed students and media members. The renaming was only temporary of course, lasting for one day.
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Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff

Schools: BRA approves Harvard’s Allston expansion plan

The Boston Redevelopment Authority voted unanimously in October to approve Harvard University’s 10-year expansion plan that includes 1.4 million square feet of new development and another 500,000 square feet of renovations in Allston. The plans call for a new basketball arena, a 200-room hotel, and a number of new academic buildings.
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Schools: BU announces Menino, Carr will join faculty

Boston University announced it will welcome two notable names to its faculty. New York Times media and culture columnist David Carr and outgoing Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino will both join the school’s faculty in the next few months.
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Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Sports: Red Sox win the World Series

The Red Sox had an abysmal 2012 season, but first-year manager John Farrell turned things around and took a scrappy group of players to the top of the American League East. After moving past the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS and winning a dramatic series against the Detroit Tigers, Boston topped the St. Louis Cardinals in six games in the World Series. Their Game 6 win was the first Red Sox World Series title clinched at Fenway Park since 1918.
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Mary Altaffer/Associated Press

Sports: Celtics trade Garnett, Pierce, and Rivers

After a string of successful years and one championship season in 2007-08, the Celtics closed the Big Three era in Boston. The team traded Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets in June, getting unremarkable pieces and draft picks in return. That same month, the Celtics also traded head coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers, receiving a 2015 first-round pick in return.
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Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Sports: Bruins trade Seguin

Just a few weeks after falling to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final, the Boston Bruins traded Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and Ryan Button to the Dallas Stars for forward Loui Eriksson and three prospects. Seguin has been successful in Dallas, scoring 31 points in 29 games. Fortunately, the Bruins have remained a contender, leading the Atlantic Division through the first three months of the season.
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Sports: Patriots face series of season-ending injuries

The Patriots have clawed their way to a winning season for the 13th straight year despite a series of brutal season-ending injuries to key players. In Week 4 on September 29, the team lost defensive tackle Vince Wilfork to a torn Achilles tendon and linebacker Jerod Mayo to torn pectoral muscle. Both players were outstanding contributors and defensive captains for the Patriots. Roughly one month later, on October 27, offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer broke his leg in a Week 8 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The latest, and perhaps most significant, injury came in Week 14 against the Browns, when star tight end Rob Gronkowski was hit the knee and later diagnosed with a torn ACL and MCL.
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